Photographer's Note

I know it sounds a bit strange: first I mentioned the glacier calving and now comes the glacier milk.

Am I serious? Yes.

I heard this expression for the first time from emka.

Created in the calving process icebergs melt, producing a water that has a very specific color. Most lakes and rivers which I had a chance to see in Patagonia had a distinct green color. The intensity depended on the available light but without a doubt it was green. The explanation is very simple: the water contains tiny particles of rock.

On the web page of the US Geological Survey I found following explanation:Rock Flour - fine-grained, silt-size sediment formed by the mechanical erosion of bedrock at the base and sides of a glacier by moving ice. When it enters a stream, it turns the stream's color brown, gray, iridescent blue-green, or milky white. Also called Glacier Flour or Glacier Milk.

I have some photos where the color is much more pronounced yet somehow the title seemed very suitable here.

This photo was taken during the hike to Laguna Torres, with trailhead in El Chalten (Southern Patagonia, Argentina). After 3 hours hike you arrive at Laguna Torres across which you have amazing view of Cerro Torre. The river which you see here flows out of the Laguna Torre, I was not able to find its name.

Hi Mariusz
I looks calm and peaceful scene in low light. The foreground look nice and well exposed as effective focus of this shot, with good hint of movement by the stream to give that added interest. You have captured good detail in the sky, the white streaks, looks awesome. Sharpness is superb throughout and good light control. Picture with gentle feel to it. Well done. Congrats. Best rgds

Hello Mariusz,
This picture provides a very good depiction of the highly interesting and colorful natural phenomenon of rock flour. In addition the cloudiness in the sky also is rather extraordinary and beautiful. Excellent presentation of wonders of the nature!
Best regards,
Sergiy

Another wonderful and marvelous shot.
Best framework from angle, nice sharp color presentation and very well considered composition as usual. Quite effective of wide focus lense usage. Thanks for your sharing with finest work, have a good last working day and best regards,

Hi Mariusz,
Yes, the name defines perfectly the milky aspect of the merger water of the glaciers. You have given a good structure to the composition with a framing under the rule of thirds, that works with efficiency for to show us this impressive Patagonian landscape.
A well managed light and a high quality of image and of colors, on this good photographic work.
Best regards,
Josep

I find it very odd that the sky looks like you did a long exposure, likely over 15 seconds even with very strong winds, but that the water looks like you took a short exposure...Did you add up a new sky??

Otherwise the photo is good. Exposure is spotless (except for this odd observation I described). Compo could use some tidying up and the DOF seems a bit shallow (contrary to that picture of Cerro Torre that you linked)...maybe a higher f?? it's hard to tell because we don't have access to the exposure data. With a deeper DOF, you could use a close up of one of those interesting elements in the foreground and really go for a deeper composition a bit like here:http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/United_States/West/Montana/Glacier/photo1266951.htm or here :http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Ireland/North/Donegal//photo916394.htm or here : http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/France/West/Aquitaine/Saint-Jean-de-Luz/photo934527.htm

dear Mariusz,
a beautiful shot of wonderful colored river and wild landscape,
surely its muddy color of water is characteristic, its mellow green tone like milk makes the pink stones very vivid,
(the edge of mountains looks something unnatural)
thank you for your excellent shot,
Akihisa

Hello Mariusz
Wonderful landscape composition.
You chose a good point of view to take this shot.
Very atmospheric photos.
Fantastic cloudy sky.
River is very interesting.
Excellent light and colors.
Great job.
Regards
Saša

Yes I've seen this "glacial flour" happen in New Zealand and the colour of the water is out of this world. Just like this amazing photo. But you have also had that magnificent sky, which looks like streaks of milk itself in the blue skies. Fantastic job and your Note is fascinating. Enjoy your weekend.

Hi Mariusz
forget about the water! how on earth did you get the clouds to look like that! wow!
looks like you swept it with a painters brush, looks fantastic...i wish i had that for all of my photos.
as for the note, yeah, very informative, i'm learning alot from your trip :)
thanks for all the info, and the clarity of the photo
cheers
craig

Hello Mariusz
The streaky clouds create a fine perspective, seemingly running over the mountains. I like the colour of the water..freshly melted from ice. The stones in the FG with their multi coloured hues provide nice dash of colours. Well done!
Best,
Angshu

The view here is splendid and wild. The clouds do add a more interesting pattern to the sky. I can see a large amount of sediment is eroded from the hills of this area. Good angle and details. I would love to visit this place someday :-)